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District 51 board inviting teachers to chat

District 51 teachers are invited to share their thoughts and concerns with school board members Jan. 25.

During a work session Tuesday, board members discussed the idea of hosting an informal meeting with teachers. Board members Ann Tisue and John Williams said the meeting would be a good chance to follow up with teachers about the results of the 2013 TELL Colorado teacher survey, which asked teachers about leadership, class size, instruction and other topics, and hear anything else they have to share with the board.

“It would be a starting point to have a casual conversation,” Williams said.

The meeting will take place at 9 a.m. Jan. 25. A location was not selected Tuesday, but the event will likely take place at a school.

Also during Tuesday’s meeting, board member Jeff Leany said he would like the district to consider changing policy to require students to be at least 5 years old the day they start kindergarten. Current policy allows children to enroll in kindergarten as long as they will turn 5 by Sept. 15 of the school year they enroll.

School began a week earlier than usual in 2013 on Aug. 12 and will move up another week to begin classes on Aug. 4 in 2014. The age difference in kindergartners matters more as the gap between the start of school and mid-September widens, District 51 Executive Director of Academic Achievement in Elementary Schools Lesley Rose said, adding she and District 51 Director of Academic Achievement Cheryl Taylor have been researching a change in age-at-enrollment policy.

Leany said he would also like the board to encourage enforcement of existing district policies on student conduct and discipline, citing his concerns about class disruptions impeding instructional time.